Reading

Reading To Your Children

Reading to your children is very important. It develops language, creates a bond, is fun, and develops a love of literature and learning. Reading out loud can begin when your baby is in the womb since they can hear you.

A 1983 report from the Commission on Reading revealed that “the single most important activity for building the knowledge required for the eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children”. Only 39% of parents read daily to their infants and toddlers. 16% do not read to their children at all.

Read everyday to your child and preferably at the same time. If you are unable to do it at the same time or even every day, by all means, still do it.

Young children enjoy being read to because of the interaction with you, not because of the story itself. After age 2 it is fine for them to listen to audio books, but it should never take the place of you reading to your child.

You can read anything to a newborn, but as they get a little older you should select some children’s books. Begin with books with bright colors and sharp contrast. Books with nursery rhymes are also a good source because of their rhythmic pattern and you can sing them throughout the day.

Try to find books with simple illustrations so they can begin to distinguish the pictures.

It is good to be repetitive with the books. This allows them to become familiar with the story and it builds confidence.

Let your child get involved in the reading process at a young age. Don't get hung up on making it all the way through a book without stopping, or on reading every word on every page. Let your child's interest and questions guide your reading pace. According to the American Library Association, you can help get him involved in story time by having him point out objects on the page, holding the book so he can see the pictures clearly, talking about the pictures, repeating common words, varying your tone (changing voices for different characters or moods) or pace, and having your child select the books you read.

Do not try to teach your child letters and sounds during story time. This will take away from the enjoyment of it. Focus on the pleasure and communication of reading.

Children are never too old to be read to. Don’t stop once they learn to read for themselves. Even when a child can read on his own, until he's about 13, his listening level — the words and concepts he can understand when they're spoken out loud — is significantly higher than his reading level, the words and concepts he can understand when he reads them. When he listens to you read, your child will add new words to his vocabulary. And at any age, he'll enjoy the chance to spend some one-on-one time with you.

Taken from: http://www.babycenter.com/viewQuiz.htm?quizId=1324634&scid=momstodd_20110816:3